The Fourth Plague: Flies

As mentioned before (Ex. 7:15) Pharaoh goes out early to the water to practice religious and ceremonial rituals and this was when Moses was to meet him.

²⁰ And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

• A second set of three plagues is being set up here. The first three of blood, water and lice have not been enough persuasion to move the Pharaoh’s defiant heart.

²¹ Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.

• In this verse we see this forth plague comes with a serious warning. It is not just a bothersome lot of pests sent to annoy the Egyptians into doing what God wants but rather an absolute display of God’s power over all of the Egyptian gods and over all of the earth. This power is not just wielded over those in judgment for sin, it is also in mercy and kindness as well. When we heed the commands of god, he is faithful to us.

²² And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.

• The land of Goshen was given to the Israelites during Joseph’s time (Genesis 47:6).
• V. 22 marks the first time the plagues will set apart the Israelites from the Egyptians, selectively targeting Pharaoh and his people. This would have shown God in control instead of Pharaoh.
• “Sever” (פָּלָה, palah)
• The Hebrew word palah means “to make distinct,” “to set apart,” or “to separate.”

²³ I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ”

• This sign is making a clear separation between possible natural disasters and the power of God. He is making clear distinctions between the people of Isreal and Egypt to point out that God can protect his people while pouring out his power onto Egypt with a plague of flies. Thus proving the powerlessness of the Egyptian gods
• God specifies that the plague will begin tomorrow (מָחָר, machar).

²⁴ And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.

• The Hebrew word for “swarms” (עָרוֹב, arov) suggests a mixture of flying insects rather than just flies. Some scholars believe this could include biting flies, gnats, or even scarab beetles, which were associated with the Egyptian god Khepri.

²⁵ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.”

• Pharaoh had become bothered enough at this point to offer some compromise and calls for Moses and Aaron. He’s having a shift in thought but there will be restrictions.

²⁶ And Moses said, “It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us?

Egyptian Religious Context

• Egypt had a highly structured religious system, with various gods tied to different aspects of life.
• Sacrificing animals, especially those considered sacred in Egypt (e.g., bulls associated with Apis, rams linked to Amun), could have been seen as an offense to Egyptian religious traditions.
• Pharaoh likely wanted to avoid unrest by confining Israel’s worship within Egypt.
• “Sacrifice” (זִבְחוּ, zivchu) This comes from the root zavach (זָבַח), meaning “to slaughter, to sacrifice.”
• Pharaoh wanted to have some say in how the worship was done by holding the Israelites to worship within Egypt. God would not have partially done worship. We are reminded that true worship cannot be dictated by secular systems.

²⁷ We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.”

• The distance of three days’ journey is significant in that it symbolizes a complete disconnect from Egypt’s influence. Israel is able to worship as per God’s instruction without compromise.
• Why they could not worship in Egypt
• Sacrificing animals in Egypt would be offensive to the Egyptians, who worshiped various animals (Exodus 8:26).
• Egyptian gods such as Apis (the bull god) and Khnum (the ram god) were revered, and sacrificing these animals would likely provoke violent retaliation.
• Worshiping in the wilderness signified that Israel’s allegiance was solely to Yahweh—not Pharaoh, Egypt, or its gods.

²⁸ So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me.”

• Pharaoh is conceding some power here but keeping Israel close enough for influence over them.
• This doesn’t allow the Israelites to fully worship and partial obedience is not what God is asking of them.

²⁹ Then Moses said, “Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.”

• So for the second time, Moses will be as intercessor for Pharaoh and pray for relief from the plague of flies, like Ex. 8:12-13 for the plague of frogs.
• Pharaoh is still following a pattern of relenting to relieve the pressure but hardening his heart further after getting relief.
• Even so, God grants relief to Moses prayers showing his willingness to have patience with sinners.
• “I will intreat” (וְהַעְתִּירֹתִי, veha’atiroti) Root: atar (עָתַר) – “to intercede, plead, supplicate.”
• This word is also seen in Genesis 18:23 when Abraham prayed for Sodom.

³⁰ So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD.

• Moses leaves Pharaoh, prays for relief, and God grants Moses prayer.

³¹ And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained.

• God gives complete deliverance with not one fly remaining to cause torment, showing his total power to intercede.
• God is Lord over all creation (Psalm 135:6-7) and longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9)

³² But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.

• Plague sent – check
• Pharaoh asks for relief – check
• Moses prays for relief – check
• God removes plague – check
• Pharaoh hardens his heart – check

Despite Pharaoh, God’s plan is not hindered. In Exodus 9:16 God said, “for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you.”

Pharaoh can reject God repeatedly and never undermine God’s plan or power.

Citations

• Guzik, David. “Exodus 8 – Plagues Upon Egypt.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-8/.

• “Exodus 8:20-32 meaning.” TheBibleSays.com. https://thebiblesays.com/en/commentary/exo%2B8%3A20.

• “The Third and Fourth Plagues: Gnats and Flies.” First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi. https://fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/the-third-and-forth-plagues-gnats-and-flies/.

• “Exodus 8:20 – Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary.” StudyLight.org. https://www.studylight.org/commentary/exodus/8-20.html.

• Sklar, Jay. “Exodus.” The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/exodus/.

• “Why Are There 10 Plagues?” The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/podcast/why-are-there-10-plagues/.

• Durham, John I. Exodus, Volume 3 (Word Biblical Commentary). Thomas Nelson, 1987. https://dokumen.pub/exodus-volume-3-3-word-biblical-commentary-9780310522270-0310522277.html.

• “Exodus Commentaries.” Precept Austin. https://www.preceptaustin.org/exodus_commentaries.